Sometimes my kids watch TV without me because I’m making dinner, finishing my work, or just catching my breath. I’ll let them watch anything age-appropriate and semi-educational, even if it has whiny characters (I’m looking at you, Caillou) or seriously annoying theme music because hey, I’m in the kitchen.

Of course, there are times when I want to cuddle on the couch with my kids and watch too. That’s when I get bossy about the remote. Let’s put it this way: When I’m part of the audience, Barney is not an option. Luckily, with the advent of streaming, there are so many choices. I can steer my kids to the best of past and present TV series, even throwing in some classics from my own childhood.

Amy Wruble was a prolific producer of reality TV before having kids provided enough reality to last a lifetime. She is now a freelance writer and blogger who contributes to Momtastic, mom.me, Scary Mommy and The Huffington Post. The mother of two girls, Amy knows the theme songs and sidekicks of every Disney princess. She lives in the Los Angeles area and is very convincing as a blonde. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.